US-Iran Tensions Fuel Record-High Gas Prices Ahead of Holiday Weekend

Escalating tensions between the United States and Iran have driven up fuel prices in the US, just as Americans prepare to hit the roads for the holiday weekend. The conflict, which has lasted over six months, took a turn for the worse when the US struck Iranian oil tankers on Saturday, following an earlier missile attack on US Navy ships.

The US Central Command's Adm. Brad Cooper said that if Iran shoots at American vessels, they will impose a higher economic cost by targeting theirs. In this case, three Iranian oil tankers were hit.

The ongoing conflict has led to record-breaking diesel prices in the US, with AAA reporting an average price of $5.90 per gallon as of Sunday, up from $5.85 on Friday. Regular gas prices have also increased, reaching an average of $4.15 per gallon, a 39% jump since late February.